Architectural bed docking apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to the present disclosure, a transfer top adapted to carry a patient is transferable between a mobile base and a docking station in a hospital room. Thus, instead of transferring a patient between a stretcher and a hospital bed, the entire transfer top with the patient thereon is transferred between the mobile base and the docking station.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/293,949, filed May25, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Patients are oftentimes transported from location to location ina hospital or other healthcare facility on a stretcher that is highlymobile. Patients also spend a great deal of time during their stays in ahospital on a hospital bed located in a patient room. Hospital bedstypically have various systems, such as drive and articulationmechanisms for raising, lowering and tilting a patient support deck,siderails with television, radio and other controls, patient weighscales, and so on. Thus, hospital beds are usually less mobile thanstretchers due to the increased weight of the hospital beds. It issometimes difficult and time consuming to transfer patients betweenstretchers and hospital beds. On occasion, caregivers sustain backinjuries while transferring patients. Thus, it is desirable inhealthcare facilities to minimize the number of patient transfersbetween hospital beds and stretchers.

[0003] According to the present disclosure, a transfer top adapted tocarry a patient is transferable between a mobile base and a stationarysupport structure (also referred to as a docking station or a patientcare module). Thus, instead of transferring a patient between a hospitalbed and a stretcher, the entire transfer top with the patient thereon istransferred between the mobile base and the stationary supportstructure.

[0004] An illustrative docking station includes a support rail extendingaway from a hospital room wall, and adapted to support a transfer top.In some embodiments, the docking station includes a pair of spaced-apartsupport rails and a pair of siderails. Each siderail is coupled to arespective support rail.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, an apparatus for use in ahospital comprises a wheeled base, a docking station coupled to ahospital room wall and a transfer top that is selectively couplable tothe wheeled base to be transported with the wheeled base and to thedocking station to be supported by the docking station.

[0006] In some embodiments, the illustrative apparatus includes a pairof support rails extending away from a hospital room wall, a bolsterincluding portions coupled to the pair of support rails and configuredto define a mattress-receiving space, and a patient support platformhaving a movable base and a mattress carried by the movable base. Thepatient support platform is movable to a position where the mattress isreceived in the mattress-receiving space.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a patient care modulecomprises a pedestal and at least one support arm coupled to thepedestal and adapted to support a transfer top. The transfer top istransferable between the pedestal and a mobile platform. In someembodiments, the patient care module includes at least one serviceoutlet coupled to the pedestal. In other embodiments, the patient caremodule includes an overbed table coupled to the pedestal and movablebetween a storage position extending in a perpendicular relation withthe support arm and a use position extending in a parallel relation withthe arm.

[0008] In some embodiments, the illustrative patient care moduleincludes a base adapted to couple to a floor for rotation relative tothe floor about an axis, a pedestal coupled to the base and a transfertop supported with respect to the pedestal. The pedestal and transfertop are configured to rotate with the base about the axis.

[0009] According to other embodiments, a patient care module comprises apedestal, a plurality of patient monitoring modules coupled to thepedestal and a control panel coupled to the pedestal and configured toexchange data with the plurality of patient monitoring modules.

[0010] According to further embodiments, a patient care module comprisesa pedestal, an overbed table coupled to the pedestal and a communicationand control unit coupled to the pedestal.

[0011] An illustrative patient care module comprises a docking porthaving a coupler adapted to be coupled to a base frame of a hospitalbed, a pedestal coupled to the docking port and at least one serviceoutlet coupled to the pedestal.

[0012] An illustrative apparatus for use in a hospital comprises awheeled base, a pedestal having a least one arm extending from a side ofthe pedestal in a cantilevered manner and a transfer top that isselectively couplable to the wheeled base to be transported with thewheeled base and to the at least one arm to be supported by thepedestal.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a patient room comprises abathroom area, a visitor area and a patient support apparatus. Thepatient support apparatus includes a head end, a foot end, a pedestalcoupled to a floor and a transfer top supported with respect to thepedestal and configured to carry a patient. The patient supportapparatus is rotatable about an axis between a first position having thefoot end facing toward the bathroom area and a second position havingthe foot end facing toward the visitor area.

[0014] An illustrative patient room comprises a wall, a floor, a monitorcoupled to the wall, a patient support apparatus including afloor-mounted pedestal, at least one patient monitoring module coupledto the pedestal and a service line transmitting data from the patientmonitoring module to the monitor.

[0015] In some embodiments, a docking station comprises a column thatrotates about a vertical axis and a docking port coupled to the columnto rotate therewith and adapted to be coupled to a base frame of ahospital bed. In other embodiments, the docking station includes acommunication-and-control unit coupled to the column above the dockingport, and an overbed table coupled to the column above the docking port.

[0016] Additional features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment exemplifying the bestmode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanyingfigures in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretcher and a docking station,showing the docking station including a pair of support rails extendinghorizontally away from a hospital room wall, the docking stationincluding a pair of support legs coupled to ends of the support railsand extending downwardly therefrom to engage a floor of the hospitalroom, the docking station including a pair of siderails, each siderailextending upwardly from a respective support rail, a docking space beingdefined between the support rails, and the stretcher being arranged formovement in the direction of the arrow to deliver a transfer top of thestretcher into the docking space,

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing thetransfer top being decoupled from a transfer base of the stretcher, thetransfer top being supported by the support rails and the support legsof the docking station, and the transfer base of the stretcher beingmoved in the direction of the arrow away from the docking station,

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing thetransfer top articulated to a chair position having a head section ofthe transfer top pivoted upwardly to a raised position, having a footsection of the transfer top pivoted downwardly to a lowered position,and having a seat section of the transfer top moved horizontally towarda foot end of the support rails along with the siderails,

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing thedocking station including a motor package situated behind a wall panel,the transfer top and support rails being moved downwardly by the motorpackage in the direction of the vertical arrow to a lowered position,and a foot end section of one of the siderails being pivoted laterallyoutwardly about a vertical axis relative to a head end section of theassociated siderail to allow patient egress from a side of the transfertop,

[0022]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a first alternative dockingstation, showing the first alternative docking station including a liftmechanism and a lift arm extending horizontally in a cantileveredfashion from the lift mechanism, the lift mechanism being operable to,raise and lower the lift arm as indicated by the vertical double-headedarrow, a transfer top including a mattress and a mattress support deckbeneath the mattress, the mattress support deck being coupled to thelift arm to raise and lower therewith, the transfer top including aretractable leg that pivots relative to the mattress support deckbetween a use position extending vertically downwardly from the mattresssupport deck to engage a floor and a storage position extendinghorizontally adjacent an undersurface of the mattress support deck, anda transport trolley arranged to be moved in the direction of thehorizontal arrow to a position beneath the transfer top so that thetransfer top can be decoupled from the first alternative docking stationand transported away from the first alternative docking station by thetransport trolley,

[0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second alternative dockingstation, showing the second alternative docking station including a pairof lift arms extending horizontally in a cantilevered fashion away froma wall of a hospital room, the second alternative docking stationincluding a bolster assembly coupled to the pair of lift arms, thebolster assembly including a head end portion extending horizontallyadjacent to the hospital room wall, the bolster assembly including apair of side portions extending horizontally away from the head endportion, the bolster assembly being formed to include amattress-receiving space between the pair of side portions, a mobileplatform being arranged for docking to the second alternative dockingstation so that a mattress of the mobile platform is received in themattress-receiving space, and the bolster assembly having an uppersurface that cooperates with an upper surface of the mattress toincrease the amount of surface area available to support the patientwhen the mobile platform is docked to the second alternative dockingstation,

[0024]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the second alternative dockingstation and the mobile platform of FIG. 6, showing the mobile platformbeing spaced apart from the second alternative docking station,

[0025]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 7, showing themobile platform docked to the second alternative docking station,

[0026]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a floor-mounted patient caremodule, a transfer top and a wheeled transport base, showing the patientcare module including a pedestal and a pair of lift arms (in phantom)extending horizontally from the pedestal, the patient care moduleincluding a base panel extending from a bottom of the pedestal beneaththe lift arms, the transfer top being supported above the base panel bythe lift arms, the base panel along with the rest of the patient caremodule and the transfer top being pivotable about a vertical axis thatis offset from the pedestal, the transport base including a lower framehaving a central hub and six spokes radiating substantially horizontallyoutwardly from the central hub, the transport base including casterscoupled to distal ends of the spokes, the transport base including avertical column extending upwardly from the central hub and a mattresssupport deck coupled to an upper end of the vertical column, and themattress support deck including a center section and a pair of endsections that are coupled to the center section for pivoting movementbetween horizontal positions (in solid) and vertical positions (inphantom),

[0027]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the patient care module and thetransfer top of FIG. 9, showing a head section of the transfer top beingraised to support a patient in a sitting-up position, an overbed tableof the patient care module being pivotable relative to the pedestalabout a vertical axis between a first position (in solid) extendinglaterally away from the pedestal to overlie the patient's lap and asecond position (in phantom) extending laterally away from the pedestalon the side of the pedestal opposite the transfer top, a storage recessformed in a top surface of the pedestal being exposed when the table isin the first and second positions, the patient care module including acommunication and control unit supported above the table, thecommunication and control unit having a phone and an interactive displayaccessible by the patient, and the patient care module including aplurality of service outlets and a caregiver control panel at an end ofthe pedestal inaccessible to the patient when the patient is lying on amattress of the transfer top,

[0028]FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of the patient care module andthe transfer top of FIG. 10, showing the table being verticallyadjustable relative to the pedestal, the vertical axis about which thepatient care module and transfer top pivots being generally “on center”with the patient, a preferred service channel (in solid) formed in thefloor of the hospital room through which service delivery lines arerouted to the patient care module, and an alternative service channel(in phantom) formed in the floor,

[0029]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a first alternative patient caremodule, showing the first alternative patient care module including arectangular base that rests upon a floor of a hospital room and apedestal extending upwardly from the base, a supply conduit coupled to ahead end of the base, the supply conduit containing portions of servicedelivery lines that are routed through the conduit to the firstalternative patient care module, and a transfer top being supported bythe patient care module above the floor,

[0030]FIG. 13 is an end elevation view of the first alternative patientcare module and transfer top of FIG. 12, showing the first alternativepatient care module including a plurality of service outlets along anend face of the pedestal and an overbed table that is rotatable relativeto the pedestal about a vertical axis to a position overlying thepatient supported by the transfer top,

[0031]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first alternative patientcare module and transfer top of FIG. 13, showing the transfer top beingmoved from the lift arms of the first alternative patient care module toa stretcher base in the direction of the arrow,

[0032]FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 14, showing thetransfer top moved to a chair position having a head section of thetransfer top extending upwardly from a seat section of the transfer topand having a foot section of the transfer top extending downwardly fromthe seat section, and showing the alternative patient care moduleincluding a telephone coupled to the overbed table,

[0033]FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of a hospital bed and a secondalternative patient care module, showing the hospital bed having a baseframe that is movable in the direction of the horizontal arrow to dockto a lower portion of a pedestal of the second alternative patient caremodule, and showing the second alternative patient care module and thehospital bed being pivotable about a vertical axis once the hospital beddocks to the lower portion of the pedestal,

[0034]FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a hospital room in which the patientcare module of FIGS. 9-11 is included, showing the transfer top andpatient care module being movable between a first position (in solid)having a head end of the transfer top facing toward a headwall in whichmedical data monitors and gas supplies are housed, a second position (inphantom) having a foot end of the transfer top facing toward a visitorarea of the hospital room, and a third position (in phantom) having thefoot end of the transfer top facing toward a bathroom area of thehospital room, a ceiling support track extending from the transfer topto a toilet included in the bathroom area, and a patient support deviceattached to the ceiling support track and used by a patient to ambulateto the bathroom area when the transfer top is moved to the thirdposition and articulated to a chair position which facilitates patientegress from the transfer top,

[0035]FIG. 18 is an end elevation view of the patient care module andtransfer top of FIG. 17, showing a caregiver viewing one of the medicaldata monitors housed in the headwall, data from the patient beingtransmitted to the patient care module via a first data line thatextends from the patient to one of the patient monitoring modulesincluded in the pedestal, and the medical data monitor receiving datafrom the pedestal via a second data line (in phantom) that is routed tothe medical data monitor through the patient care module, through theservice channel formed in the floor of the hospital room, and behind afront panel of the headwall,

[0036]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a column-mounted docking station,showing the column-mounted docking station including a vertical column,a docking port coupled to the column near a lower end of the column, acommunication and control unit coupled to the column above the dockingport, and an overbed table extending horizontally away from thecommunication and control unit, and

[0037]FIG. 20 is an end elevation view of a hospital bed and thecolumn-mounted docking station of FIG. 19, showing the hospital bedhaving a base frame member docked to the docking port so that servicesare provided to the bed through the column-mounted docking station, thecommunication and control unit and the overbed table being raisable andlowerable relative to the column as indicated by the verticaldouble-headed arrow, and the column-mounted docking station along withthe hospital bed being rotatable about a vertical axis extending throughthe column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] Throughout this description, (1) the terms “docking station,”“pedestal” and “patient care module” are used interchangeably, (2) theterms “transfer base,” “wheeled base,” “mobile base,” “stretcher base,”“transport trolley” and “mobile platform” are used interchangeably, and(3) the terms “transfer top,” “mattress support deck” and “patientsupport deck” are used interchangeably.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, a docking station 100includes a pair of support rails 102 extending horizontally away from awall 104 of a hospital room 106 in a cantilevered fashion as shown bestin FIG. 1. The support rails 102 are spaced apart to define a dockingspace 108 between the support rails 102. A pair of support legs 110 arecoupled to the outer or distal ends of the support rails 102 and extenddownwardly therefrom to engage a floor 112 of the hospital room 106.Each leg 110 includes an upper portion 114 and a lower portion 116 thattelescopes into and out of the upper portion 114. The docking station100 also includes a pair sideralls 118. Each siderail 118 extendsupwardly from a respective support rail 102 as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1-4.

[0040] A stretcher 120 includes a transfer base 122 and a transfer top124 supported by transfer base 122 as shown in FIG. 1. The transfer base122 and transfer top 124 are also referred to herein as the stretcherbase and stretcher top. The transfer top 124 is detachable from thetransfer base 122, and is attachable to a carrier or carriage 126 of thedocking station 100. The carrier 126 is translatably mounted on thesupport rails 102 to move along the support rails 102 as will bedescribed in further detail below. In the illustrative embodiments, thecarrier 126 includes rollers or wheels which ride in tracks provided inthe support rails 102. In alternative embodiments, the transfer top 124is directly mounted on the support rails 102 to move along the supportrails 102.

[0041] During transfer of the transfer top 124 from the transfer base122 to the docking station 100, the stretcher 120 is moved in thedirection of arrow 128, shown in FIG. 1, so that the transfer top 124 isreceived in the docking space 108. A first set of coupling mechanismsare operated to release the transfer top 124 from the transfer base 122and a second set of coupling mechanisms are operated to couple thetransfer top 124 to the carrier 126 supported by the support rails 102.Thereafter, the transfer base 122 is moved away from the docking station100 in the direction of arrow 130, shown in FIG. 2, leaving the transfertop 124 in the docking space 108 supported by the support rails 102 asshown in FIGS. 2-4. The first and second sets of coupling mechanisms mayinclude, for example, grippers that grip portions of the transfer top124 or portions of the docking station 100, clutches that engageportions of the transfer top 124 or portions of the docking station 100,manually actuated pins that are received in apertures formed in thetransfer top 124 or the docking station 100, solenoid actuated plungersthat are received in apertures formed in the transfer top 124 or thedocking station 100, hooks or latches that catch on posts or the like,blades that extend into and retract out of associated slots, or anyother type of conventional mechanisms suitable to releasably couple thetransfer top 124 to the carrier 126 and to the transfer base 122.

[0042] The transfer top 124 includes an articulated deck 132 and amattress 134 supported by the deck 132. The deck 132 includes threesections and the mattress 134 includes associated portions that aresupported by the three sections of the deck 132. Thus, the deck 132cooperates with the mattress 134 to provide the transfer top 124 with ahead section 136, a seat section 138, and a foot section 140 as shown inFIG. 3. The docking station 100 includes drive mechanisms 142 thatautomatically couple with articulation mechanisms 144 included in thetransfer top 124 when the transfer top 124 is coupled to the supportrails 102 as shown in FIG. 2. Likewise, the stretcher 120 also includesdrive mechanisms 146 that interact with the articulation mechanisms 144of the transfer top 124 when the transfer top 124 is coupled to thestretcher 120.

[0043] Siderails 118 include controls 148 for inputting patient and/orcaregiver commands that control the drive mechanisms 142 of the dockingstation 100. Commands from the controls 148 on the siderails 118 actuatethe drive mechanisms 142 included in the docking station 100 which actthrough the articulation mechanisms 144 included in the transfer top 124to move the sections 136, 138, 140 relative to the support rails 102when the transfer top 124 is coupled to the docking station 100. Theseat section 138 of transfer top 124 is coupled to the carrier 126supported on the support rails 102. In addition, the siderails 118 arecoupled to the carrier 126. Thus, the siderails 118 and the transfer top124 move with the carrier 126 as the carrier 126 moves along the supportrails 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the stretcher 120 also includes controls150 mounted on stretcher siderails 151 that are used to control thedrive mechanisms 146 of the stretcher 120. Thus, the transfer top 124 isarticulatable to a variety of positions when coupled to the dockingstation 100 and when coupled to the stretcher 120.

[0044] Illustrative transfer top 124 is moveable between a horizontalposition, shown in FIG. 2, having the upper surfaces of the mattressportions corresponding to the head, seat, and foot sections 136, 138,140 in substantially coplanar horizontal relationship with one anotherand a chair position, shown in FIG. 3, having the head section 136pivoted upwardly relative to the seat section 138 to a raised positionand having the foot section 140 pivoted downwardly relative to the seatsection 138 to a lowered position. During movement of the transfer top124 into the chair position shown in FIG. 3, the carrier 126, the seatsection 138 along with the rest of the transfer top 124, and thesiderails 118 all move horizontally toward a foot end 152 of the supportrails 102. The docking station 100, therefore, includes a driver 154shown in FIG. 3 that moves the carrier 126 along the support rails 102toward the foot end 152 of the support rails 102 during articulation ofthe transfer top 124 to the chair position. Movement of the carrier 126toward the foot end 152 of the support rails 102 facilitates patientegress from the transfer top 124.

[0045] It is well known in the hospital bed art that drive motors withvarious types of transmission elements including lead screw drives andvarious types of mechanical linkages may be used to cause relativemovement of portions of hospital beds, stretchers, chairs and othertypes of patient transport and support apparatuses (sometimescollectively referred to herein as “patient support apparatuses”). As aresult, terms such as “drive mechanism,” “drive assembly,” “drive,” and“driver” are intended to cover all types of electrical, mechanical,electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic drive systems that areoperable to move portions of a patient support apparatus relative toother portions of the patient support apparatus. In addition, terms suchas “articulation mechanism,” “linkage assembly,” “linkage,” and“transmission assembly” are intended to cover all types of componentssuch as belts, gears, racks, pinions, interconnected links, torqueconverters, ball screws, chains, sprockets, pulleys, cables, and thelike, as well as combinations of these, that couple to drive mechanismand that are configured to transfer motion from the drive mechanism to aportion of a patient support apparatus. Reference may be made to U.S.Pat. No. 6,006,379, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein,and which is entitled “Articulating Bed Frame,” for examples ofillustrative drive and articulation mechanisms.

[0046] The docking station 100 includes a motor package 156 (in phantom)situated behind the room wall 104. The motor package 156 includes adriver that couples to the support rails 102 via a linkage assembly. Thedriver of the motor package 156 is operable to move the support rails102 vertically between a raised position, shown in FIGS. 1-3, and alowered position, shown in FIG. 4. The siderail-mounted controls 148command the operation of the driver of the motor package 156. When thesupport rails 102 are in the lowered position, the transfer top 124 issupported at a position close to the floor 112 allowing the patient toegress from a side of the transfer top 124 more easily than when thesupport rails 102 are at the raised position. The siderail 118 includesa head-end section 158 and a foot-end section 160 that pivots laterallyoutwardly about a vertical axis in the direction of arrow 162 relativeto the head-end section 158 to facilitate patient egress from thetransfer top 124 as shown in FIG. 4. Optionally, the siderails 118 maybe equipped with interlock mechanisms that operate to lock sections 158,160 of the siderail 118 together until the support rails 102 are movedto the lowered position.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 5, a first alternative docking station 200includes a lift mechanism 202 coupled to a wall 204 of a hospital room206 and a pair of spaced-apart lift arms 208 extending horizontally in acantilevered fashion away from the lift mechanism 202. The liftmechanism 202 includes drive mechanisms 210 that are operable to raiseand lower the lift arms 208 as indicated in FIG. 5 by a verticaldouble-headed arrow 212. A transfer top 214 includes a mattress 216 anda mattress support deck 218 beneath the mattress 216. The mattresssupport deck 218 includes one or more receptacles (obscured view) thatare adapted to receive the lift arms 208 to couple the transfer top 214to the docking station 200. The transfer top 214 raises and lowers withthe lift arms 208. The docking station 200 includes a suitablecontroller 220, such as a wall-mounted, pendant or wireless controller,that receives user inputs to command the operation of the lift mechanism202 to control the elevation of the lift arms 208 and the transfer top214.

[0048] The transfer top 214 includes a leg assembly 222 having one ormore coupling members 224 that are received in corresponding receptaclesformed in a foot-end portion 226 of the mattress support deck 218, andhaving one or more retractable legs 228 that are pivotably coupled tothe distal ends of the respective coupling members 224 for pivotingmovement about a horizontal axis 229 that extends in a transversedirection relative to the transfer top 214 as shown in FIG. 5. Theretractable legs 228 pivot relative to the mattress support deck 218between a use position extending vertically downwardly from the mattresssupport deck 218 so that wheels 230 coupled to the distal ends of therespective legs 228 engage a floor 232 of the hospital room 206 and astorage position extending horizontally adjacent an undersurface 234 ofthe mattress support deck 218.

[0049] The transfer top 214 is detachable from the lift arms 208 and isattachable to a transport trolley 236. Suitable locking mechanisms(obscured view) are provided for coupling the transfer top 214 to thelift arms 208 and to the transport trolley 236. When the trolley 236moves in the direction of a horizontal arrow 238 from a first positionspaced apart from the transfer top 214 into a second position locatedbeneath the transfer top 214, the transport trolley 236 engages theretractable legs 228 and automatically pivots the legs 228 from theirrespective use positions to their respective storage positions. Afterthe transfer trolley 236 is in the second position, the transfer top 214is decoupled from the lift arms 208 of the docking station 200 and iscoupled to the transport trolley 236 for transport away from the dockingstation 200.

[0050] According to the present disclosure, a second alternative dockingstation 300 includes a lift mechanism 302 and a pair of spaced-apartlift arms 304 extending horizontally in a cantilevered fashion away fromthe lift mechanism 302 through associated slots 306 formed in a wall 308of a hospital room 310 as shown in FIG. 6. The lift mechanism 302 ispositioned to lie behind the hospital room wall 308. In addition, thelift mechanism 302 includes drive mechanisms 312 that operate to raiseand lower the lift arms 304. The docking station 300 includes a pair ofsiderails 314 having controls 316 that are used to operate the liftmechanism 302.

[0051] The docking station 300 includes a bolster assembly 320 (alsoreferred to as a bolster) coupled to the pair of lift arms 304 as shownin FIGS. 6-8. The bolster assembly 320 includes a head end portion 322extending horizontally between the lift arms 304 adjacent to the roomwall 308. The bolster assembly 320 also includes a pair of side portions324 extending horizontally away from the head end portion 322 inparallel relation with the lift arms 304. Thus, the bolster assembly 320is formed to include a mattress-receiving space 326 between the pair ofside portions 324. In some embodiments, the head end and side portions322, 324 of the bolster assembly 320 include patient support elements,such as one or more air bladders or one or more foam pads, and an outercover that encases the patient support elements. Each of the siderails314 is coupled to a respective side portion 324 of the bolster assembly320 for pivoting movement about a longitudinal-extending axis between araised position and a lowered position.

[0052] A mobile platform 330 includes a transfer top 332 and a wheeledframe 334 that carries the transfer top 332 as shown best in FIGS. 6-8.The transfer top 332 includes a mattress 336 and a mattress support deck338 beneath the mattress 336. The mobile platform 330 is configured todock to the docking station 300. However, unlike the docking stations100, 200 in which the stretcher base 122 and the transport trolley 236are moved away from the docking stations 100, 200, respectively, afterthe associated transfer tops 124, 214 are attached to the support rails102 and the lift arms 208, respectively, the wheeled frame 334 of themobile platform 330 remains underneath the transfer top 332 when themobile platform 330 is docked to the docking station 300.

[0053] When the mobile platform 330 is docked to the docking station300, the mattress 336 is received in the mattress-receiving space 326having upper surfaces of the head end and side portions 322, 324 of thebolster assembly 320 substantially in coplanar relation with the uppersurface of the mattress 336. Thus, the bolster assembly 320 cooperateswith the mattress 336 to increase the amount of surface area availableto support the patient when the mobile platform 330 is docked to thedocking station 300. The wheeled frame 334 includes drive mechanisms 340that are operable to change the elevation of the mattress 336 relativeto the floor 342 of the hospital room 310. When the mobile platform 330is docked to the docking station 300, the operation of the drivemechanisms 312 of the lift mechanism 302 of the docking station 300 iscoordinated with the operation of the drive mechanisms 340 of thewheeled frame 334 of the mobile platform 330 so that the mattress 336and the bolster assembly 320 raise and lower together.

[0054] According to the present disclosure, a floor-mounted patient caremodule 400 includes a pedestal 402 and a pair of lift arms 404 extendinghorizontally from the pedestal 402 as shown in FIG. 9. The patient caremodule 400 includes a base panel 406 (also referred to as a base)extending from a bottom portion 408 of the pedestal 402 beneath the liftarms 404 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. A transfer top 410 includes amattress 412 and an articulating mattress support deck 414 that supportsthe mattress 412. The transfer top 410 is selectively couplable to thelift arms 404 of the patient care module 400 and to a transport base420.

[0055] The transport base 420 includes a lower frame 422 having acylindrical central hub 424 and six spokes 426 radiating substantiallyhorizontally outwardly from the central hub 424 as shown in FIG. 9. Thetransport base 420 includes casters 428 coupled to the distal or outerends of the spokes 426. The spokes 426 are grouped into a first set ofthree spokes 426 that extend generally forwardly from the hub 424 towarda head end 430 of the transport base 420 and a second set of threespokes 426 that extend generally rearwardly from the hub 424 toward afoot end 432 of the transport base 420. The casters 428 cooperate withthe spokes 426 to elevate the central hub 424 above the floor 434. Inaddition, the casters 428 of the first set of three spokes 426 arespaced apart from the casters 428 of the second set of three spokes 426by a sufficient distance that the base panel 406 is able to fit betweenthe two groupings of casters 428 when the transport base 420 is moved toa position adjacent the lift arms 404.

[0056] The transport base 420 includes a vertical column 436 extendingupwardly from the central hub 424 as shown in FIG. 9. An articulatingframe 438 of the transport base 420 includes a center section 440coupled to an upper end of the vertical column 436, a head-end section442 coupled to a front edge of the center section 440, and a foot-endsection 444 coupled to a rear edge of the center section 440. Each ofthe head-end and foot-end sections 442, 444 are pivotable relative tothe center section 440 between respective horizontal positions, shown inFIG. 9 in solid, and respective vertical positions, shown in FIG. 9 inphantom. When the head-end and foot-end sections 442, 444 are in theirrespective vertical positions, the transport base 420 is configured forcompact storage. The transfer top 410 is articulatable from a horizontalposition, shown in FIG. 9, to a variety of positions, such as, forexample, the position shown in FIG. 10 where a head-end section 416 ofthe transfer top 410 is raised and a foot-end section 418 of thetransfer top 410 is slightly lowered to support a patient in asitting-up or reclining position. When the transfer top 410 is coupledto the transport base 420, movement of the head-end and foot-endsections 442, 444 of the transport base 420 controls the movement of thehead-end and foot-end sections 416, 418 of the transfer top 410,respectively.

[0057] The patient control module 400 includes a patient table 446 (alsoreferred to as an overbed table) that is coupled to an upper portion 448of the pedestal 402. The patient table 446 is pivotable relative to thepedestal 402 about a vertical axis 450 between a first position, shownin FIG. 10 in solid, extending laterally away from the pedestal 402 tooverlie a patient's lap, and a second position, shown in FIG. 10 inphantom, extending laterally away from the pedestal on the side of thepedestal 402 opposite the transfer top 410. The upper portion 448 of thepedestal 402 is formed to include a storage recess 452 that is exposedwhen the patient table 446 is in the first and second positions. Thepatient table 446 includes an intermediate position between the firstand second positions in which the table 446 covers the storage recess452 as shown in FIG. 9. When the patient table 446 is in the firstposition, food for the patient may be placed on the table 446, and whenthe table 446 is in the second position, a caregiver may use the table446 as a work surface. In some embodiments, the patient care module 400includes drive mechanisms that are operable to change the elevation ofthe patient table 446 relative to the pedestal 402 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 11 by a double-headed arrow 447, where the table 446has been raised while in the first position overlying the patient.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the patient care module 400 includes acommunication and control unit 454 supported above the patient table 446by a T-shaped frame 456. A vertical portion 458 of the T-shaped frame456 is pivotable about the vertical axis 450 independent of the pivotingof the patient table 446 about the vertical axis 450, and thecommunication and control unit 454 is pivotable about a horizontal axis462 relative to a horizontal portion 464 of the T-shaped frame 456. Thecommunication and control unit 454 includes a phone 466 having a handsetand an interactive display 468 accessible by the patient supported onthe transfer top 410.

[0059] A plurality of patient monitoring modules 470 are arranged inside-by-side relation along an upper portion of a vertical end face 472of the pedestal 402 as shown in FIG. 10. In addition, a plurality ofservice outlets 474 are arranged on the vertical end face 472 beneaththe patient monitoring modules 470. Each of the patient monitoringmodules 470 receive patient data via patient data lines 476, the ends ofwhich are coupled to a patient supported on the transfer top 410 tomonitor the condition of the patient. Patient conditions to be monitoredmay include temperature, heart rate, blood oxygenation, respiration,brain activity, and the like.

[0060] A caregiver control panel 478 is accessible through an opening480 formed in an inclined surface 482 of the pedestal 402. The controlpanel 478 is used to provide input parameters to and receive patientdata from each of the patient monitoring modules 470. The control panel478 is preferably a touch screen, although other types of controlpanels, such as those with knobs or buttons, may be included in thepatient care module 400 in lieu of a touch screen. The service outlets474 provide medical gases, vacuum, pressurized air, hydraulic fluid andpower to various pieces of equipment that couple to the service outlets474. The service outlets 474 receive the medical gases, vacuum,pressurized air, hydraulic fluid and power via service delivery lines484 that are routed through the floor 434 of the hospital room 486 andinto the interior region of the pedestal 402. The control panel 478, theservice outlets 474, and the patient monitoring modules 470 arepositioned on the pedestal 402 so as to be generally inaccessible to thepatient when the patient is lying on the mattress 412 of the transfertop 410.

[0061] The patient care module 400 includes drive mechanisms 488 thatoperate to raise and lower the upper housing portion 490 of the pedestal402 to which the lift arms 404 are coupled to change the elevation ofthe transfer top 410 and the patient supported thereon as indicated by adouble-headed arrow 491. The pedestal 402 includes a lower bellowsportion 492 that expands and contracts during raising and lowering ofthe upper housing portion 490. The patient care module 400 also includesdrive mechanisms 494 that rotate the pedestal 402 and the transfer top410 about a vertical axis 496 which is offset from the pedestal 402 andwhich is generally “on center” with the patient as shown in FIG. 11.

[0062] A preferred service channel 498, shown in FIG. 11 (in solid) isformed in the floor 434 of the hospital room. Service delivery lines 484are routed to the patient care module 400 through the service channel498 and enter an interior region of the base panel 406 through anopening formed in the underside of the base panel 406 in the vicinity ofthe vertical axis 496. Alternatively, a service channel 499, shown inFIG. 11 (in phantom) may be formed in the floor 434 of the hospital roombeneath the pedestal 402.

[0063] According to this disclosure, a first alternative floor-mountedpatient care module 500 includes a rectangular base plate 502 (alsoreferred to as a base) that rests upon a floor 504 of a hospital room506 and a pedestal 508 extending upwardly from the base 502 as shown inFIGS. 12-15. A supply conduit 510 is coupled to a head end 512 of thebase 502. The supply conduit 510 contains portions of service deliverylines 514, shown in FIG. 13, that are routed through the supply conduit510 to the patient care module 500. The pedestal 508 includes a lowerhousing 516 extending upwardly from the base 502 and an upper housing518 that is coupled to the lower housing 516 for vertical telescopingmovement. The patient care module 500 includes drive mechanisms 520 thatoperate to raise and lower the upper housing 518 relative to the lowerhousing 516. A pair of lift arms 522 are coupled to the upper housing518 to raise and lower therewith. The lift arms 522 are configured tosupport a transfer top 524 as shown in FIGS. 12-15. The transfer top 524and the operation thereof is substantially similar to the transfer top410 of FIGS. 9-11.

[0064] A plurality of patient monitoring modules 526 are arranged inside-by-side relation along an upper portion 528 of a vertical end face530 of the pedestal 508 as shown best in FIG. 13. In addition, aplurality of service outlets 532 are arranged on the end face 530beneath the patient monitoring modules 526. The service delivery lines514 are coupled to the service outlets 532 in the interior region of theupper housing 518 of the pedestal 508. The patient care module 500includes an overbed or patient table 534 that is rotatable relative tothe pedestal 508 about a vertical axis 536 between a first position,shown in FIG. 14, in which the patient table 534 overlies the entireupper surface of the pedestal 508 and a second position, shown in FIGS.12, 13 and 15, in which the patient table 534 overlies the patientsupported on the transfer top 524. The patient care module 500 includesa telephone 538, shown in FIG. 15, that is situated in a phone-receivingrecess 540 formed in the patient table 534.

[0065] The transfer top 524 is transferable between the patient caremodule 500 and a stretcher base 542 as shown in FIG. 14. The stretcherbase 542 includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding lift assemblies 544to which the transfer top 524 couples when being transported by thestretcher base 542. The patient care module 500 includes a first set ofcoupling mechanisms that secure the transfer top 524 to the lift arms522. The stretcher base 542 includes a second set of coupling mechanismsthat secure the transfer top 524 to the lift assemblies 544. In someembodiments, the transfer top 524 includes coupling mechanisms that areconfigured to secure the transfer top 524 to the lift arms 522 and tothe lift assemblies 544. When coupled to the lift arms 522, the transfertop 524 is movable between a horizontal table configuration, shown inFIGS. 12-14, and a chair configuration, shown in FIG. 15.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 16, a second alternative floor-mountedpatient care module 600 includes a base 602 having a floor-engagingportion 604 and a docking port 606. The patient care module 600 furtherincludes a pedestal 608 and a set of service outlets 610 coupled to thepedestal 608. Service delivery lines 612 are routed from channels 614formed in a floor 616 of a hospital 618, through the base 602, andthrough the pedestal 608. Ends of the service delivery lines 612 arecoupled to the back sides of the service outlets 610 in the interiorregion of the pedestal 608 in a manner well known to those skilled inthe art.

[0067] The docking port 606 of the base 602 includes a gripper orcoupler 620 as shown in FIG. 16. A hospital bed 622 includes a baseframe 624, a set of casters 626 coupled to the base frame 624 andextending downwardly therefrom, a set of lift linkages 628 coupled tothe base frame 624 and extending upwardly therefrom, a patient supportdeck 630 coupled to the upper ends 632 of the lift linkages 628, and amattress 634 supported by the patient support deck 630. The hospital bed622 is movable in the direction indicated by a horizontal arrow 636 todock to the docking port 606 of the base 602 of the patient care module600. In preferred embodiments, the coupler 620 includes elements, suchas latches or clutches, that automatically grasp onto the base frame 624of the hospital bed 622 upon entry of a portion of the base frame 624into a frame receiving space 638 of the coupler 620. Suitable releasemechanisms are provided to actuate the coupler 620 to release the baseframe 624 of the hospital bed 622 when desired.

[0068] When the hospital bed 622 is docked to the patient care module600, the patient care module 600 and the hospital bed 622 are pivotableas a unit about a vertical axis 640 that is offset from the pedestal608. In some embodiments, when the hospital bed 622 is docked to thepatient care module 600, the patient care module 600 and the hospitalbed 622 are pivotable as a unit about a vertical axis 642 that passesthrough the pedestal 608. The patient care module 600 includes anoverbed or patient table 644 similar to the patient table 446 of FIGS.9-11. The patient care module 600 also includes drive mechanisms 646that operate to raise and lower a housing portion 648 of the pedestal608 relative to the base 602. The pedestal 608 includes a bellowsportion 650 that expands and contracts during raising and lowering,respectively, of the housing portion 648.

[0069]FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a hospital room 700 in which afloor-mounted patient care module 702 and a transfer top 704 areincluded. Illustratively, the patient care module 702 and the transfertop 704 are of the type shown in FIGS. 9-11. The transfer top 704 andthe patient care module 702 are rotatable in the hospital room 700 abouta vertical axis 706 between a plurality of positions, including a firstposition (in solid) having a head end 710 of the transfer top 704 facingtoward a headwall 712 in which medical data monitors 714 and various gassupply components 716 are housed, a second position (in phantom) havinga foot end 718 of the transfer top 704 facing toward a visitor area 720of the hospital room 700, and a third position (in phantom) having thefoot end 718 of the transfer top 704 facing toward a bathroom area 722of the hospital room 700. As the patient care module 702 and thetransfer top 704 are moved between positions, patient data lines 724maintain their orientations relative to the patient lying on thetransfer top 704 and relative to the patient care module 702. Thus,because the transfer top 704 and the patient care module 702 rotatetogether about the vertical axis 706, unwanted pulling, entanglement,and disconnection of patient data lines 724 is avoided.

[0070] A ceiling support track 730 extends between the transfer top 704and a toilet 728 included in the bathroom area 722. A patient supportdevice 732, such as a harness, a handle bar, or a seat, hangs from theceiling support track 730. The patient support device 732 is used by thepatient to ambulate to the bathroom area 722 after the transfer top 704is first moved to the third position having the foot end 718 facingtoward the bathroom area 722 and then moved to a chair position allowingpatient egress from the transfer top 704. A sink 734 is located inbathroom area 722 in close proximity to the toilet 728. Therefore, thepatient has access both to the toilet 728 and the sink 734 while stillbeing supported by the patient support device 732 hanging from theceiling support track 730. A secondary track 731 extends from theceiling support track 730 to a shower portion 733 of the bathroom area722. In some embodiments, an overhead track supported by a frameworkassembly is used as an alternative to the ceiling support track. Trackscoupled to a ceiling or coupled to a framework assembly and patientsupport devices used with these tracks are well known in the hospitalart.

[0071] Service and data lines 736 are illustrated diagrammatically inFIGS. 17 and 18 as a single dashed line. However, it will be appreciatedthat multiple services and data lines 736 are routed from the patientcare module 702 to the associated medical equipment, such as medicaldata monitors 714 and gas supply components 716. The service and datalines 736 are routed from respective patient monitoring modules 738 andservice outlets 740 through the interior regions of the patient caremodule 702, through the service channel 742 formed in the floor 744 ofthe hospital room 700, and through interior regions of the headwall 712as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Signals generated by sensors coupled to thepatient are transmitted to the patient monitoring modules 738 viapatient data lines 724, and the medical data monitors 714 receive thesesignals either in raw form or after processing by the patient monitoringmodules 738, via the data lines 736.

[0072] The medical data monitors 714 housed in the headwall 712 includecontrol panels 746, shown in FIG. 18, that are used to control theoperation of the medical data monitors 714. The control panels 746 maybe used by a caregiver, for example, to select which of the signalsreceived from the patient monitoring modules 738 are to be displayed onthe associated monitor 714 or to adjust the manner in which a signalfrom a particular patient monitoring module 738 is to be displayed. Thegas supply components 716 may include manifolds, valves, pressureregulators, pressure sensors, alarms and the like. It is within thescope of this disclosure for other types of medical equipment to beincluded in the headwall 712 and to be coupled to the patient caremodule 702 via lines 736. Because lines 736 are hidden from view due torouting through the patient care module 702, the floor 744 of thehospital room 700, and the headwall 712, the amount of clutter in theroom 700 is kept to a minimum even though the patient is hooked up tonumerous pieces of medical equipment.

[0073] According to the present disclosure, a column-mounted dockingstation 800 includes a vertical column 802, a docking port 804 coupledto the column 802 near a lower end 806 thereof, acommunication-and-control unit 810 coupled to the column 802 above thedocking port 804 and an overbed or patient table 812 coupled to thecommunication-and-control unit 810 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Thevertical column 802, the docking port 804, the communication-and-controlunit 810, and the patient table 812 are rotatable together about avertical axis 814 defined by the column 802. The upper end 808 of thecolumn 802 is coupled to a ceiling 816 of a hospital room 818 and thelower end 806 of the column 802 is coupled to a floor 820 of thehospital room 818 as shown in FIG. 20. Suitable couplings are providedto connect the column 802 to the ceiling 816 and to the floor 820 and topermit rotation of the column 802 about the vertical axis 814.

[0074] A proximal end 822 of the docking port 804 is coupled to thevertical column 802 and a distal end 824 of the docking port 804 isformed to include a channel or frame-receiving space 826 as shown inFIG. 19. Thus, the docking port 804 extends horizontally from the column802 in a cantilevered fashion. A hospital bed 828 includes a base frame830, a set of casters 832 coupled to the base frame 830 and extendingdownwardly therefrom, a set of lift linkages 834 coupled to the baseframe 830 and extending upwardly therefrom, a patient support deck 836and a mattress 838 supported by the deck 836. A side frame member 840 ofthe base frame 830 of the hospital bed 828 is receivable in theframe-receiving space 826 to dock the bed 828 to the docking station800. The docking port 804 includes one or more grippers or couplers 842,such as, for example, latches or clutches, that automatically grasp ontothe base frame 830 or that interface with suitable elements on the baseframe 830 to lock the bed 828 to the docking station 800 upon entry ofthe side frame member 840 of the base frame 830 into the frame-receivingspace 826. Suitable release mechanisms are provided to actuate thecouplers 842 to release the base frame 830 of the hospital bed 828 fromthe docking station 800 when desired. When the hospital bed 828 isdocked to the docking station 800, the bed 828 is rotatable with thedocking station 800 about the vertical axis 814.

[0075] The docking station 800 includes one or more service outlets 844coupled to a vertical end face 846 of the docking port 804. The column802 includes one or more internal passages that communicate with aninterior region of the docking port 804. Service delivery lines 847 arerouted either downwardly from the ceiling 816 or upwardly from the floor820, through the internal passages of the column 802, and through theinterior region of the docking port 804. Each service delivery line 847terminates at a respective service outlet 844. The service deliverylines 847 include, for example, AC power lines, DC power lines, videolines, audio lines, data transmission lines, communication lines, andthe like. It is within the scope of this disclosure for other services,such as medical gases, vacuum, hydraulic fluid, and pressurized air tobe supplied by the service delivery lines 847 to associated serviceoutlets 844 mounted on the docking port 804. The base frame 830 of thehospital bed 828 includes service connectors that mate with the serviceoutlets 844 so that services are provided to the bed 828 and so thatcommunication links are established when the bed 828 docks to thedocking station 802.

[0076] A lower portion 848 of the communication-and-control unit 810 isformed to include an elongated, horizontal slot 850 as shown in FIG. 19.A patient table 812 is coupled to the communication-and-control unit 810for pivoting movement between a storage position in which the table 812is situated within the slot 850 and a patient-use position in which amajority of the table 812 is positioned to lie outside of the slot 850.In alternative embodiments, the patient table 812 translates into andout of the horizontal slot 850. When in the patient-use position, thetable 812 extends horizontally outwardly from thecommunication-and-control unit 810. In the illustrative embodiment, thepatient table 812 pivots through 90 degrees when moving between thestorage position and the patient-use position. The patient table 812 isalso able to pivot by 180 degrees from the patient-use position to acaregiver-use position in which the table 812 extends horizontally fromthe communication-and-control unit 810 in a direction away from thehospital bed 828.

[0077] In some embodiments, the patient table 812 includes multiplesegments that fold, telescope, or otherwise move relative to each otherso that the table 812 can be manipulated into a compact configurationfor storage. In addition, the docking station 800 includes suitablelocking mechanisms to lock the patient table 812 in the storage,patient-use and caregiver-use positions. The docking station 800includes drive mechanisms 854 that operate to change the verticalposition of the communication-and-control unit 810 and the table 812along the column 802 as indicated by a double-headed dashed arrow 856shown in FIG. 20.

[0078] The communication-and-control unit 810 is formed to include acavity 858 in which various pieces of communication-and-control devicesare located. For example, a control panel 860 is coupled to a recessedvertical wall 862 of the communication-and-control unit 810, a displayscreen 864 is coupled to a side wall 866 of thecommunication-and-control unit 810, and a telephone handset 868 restsupon a bottom wall 870 of the communication-and-control unit 810. Thecontrol panel 860 includes user inputs to control, for example, roomlighting, room temperature, television functions, nurse call functions,and the like. The display screen 864 displays various images such as,for example, television images, internet images, educationalinformation, patient schedule, patient billing information, and videoconferencing images. The telephone handset 868 is used in a conventionalmanner for placing and receiving of phone calls.

[0079] Although the several inventions have been described in detailwith reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations andmodifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention asdescribed and defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is
 1. A docking station for use in a hospital having aroom wall, the docking station comprising: a transfer top, and at leastone support rail extending away from the room wall, and adapted tosupport the transfer top.
 2. The docking station of claim 1 including asupport leg, wherein the support leg is coupled to a distal end of thesupport rail and extends downwardly therefrom to engage a floor of thehospital.
 3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the at least onesupport rail includes a pair of support rails extending away from theroom wall, and wherein the pair of support rails are adapted to receiveand support the transfer top.
 4. The docking station of claim 3including a pair of siderails, each siderail being coupled to arespective support rail.
 5. The docking station of claim 3, wherein thetransfer top includes a head section, a seat section and a foot section,wherein the head section of the transfer top is configured to pivotupwardly to a raised position, and wherein the foot section of thetransfer top is configured to pivot downwardly to a lowered position. 6.The docking station of claim 5, wherein the seat section of the transfertop is configured to move horizontally along the support rails toward afoot end of the support rails as the head section of the transfer top ispivoted upwardly to the raised position and the foot section of thetransfer top is pivoted downwardly to the lowered position, and whereinthe siderails are configured to move horizontally with the seat sectiontoward the foot end of the support rails.
 7. The docking station ofclaim 3 including a drive, wherein the transfer top and the supportrails are configured to move downwardly by the drive to a loweredposition.
 8. The docking station of claim 7, wherein a foot end sectionof one of the siderails is configured to pivot laterally outwardlyrelative to a head end section of the said siderail to allow patientegress from a side of the transfer top.
 9. An apparatus for use in ahospital having a room wall, the apparatus comprising: a transporttrolley, a docking station coupled to the room wall, and a transfer top,wherein the docking station includes a lift mechanism and a lift armextending horizontally in a cantilevered fashion from the liftmechanism, wherein the lift arm is adapted to support the transfer top,wherein the transfer top is transferable between the lift arm and thetransport trolley, and wherein the lift mechanism is operable to raiseand lower the lift arm and the transfer top.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein the transport trolley is arranged to move to a positionbeneath the transfer top so that the transfer top can be decoupled fromthe docking station and coupled to the transport trolley so that thetransfer top can be transported away from the docking station by thetransport trolley.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transfertop includes a retractable leg that pivots relative to the transfer topbetween a use position extending downwardly from the transfer top toengage a floor and a storage position spaced apart from the floor. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transfer trolley engages theretractable leg and moves the retractable leg from the use position tothe storage position when the transport trolley is moved to a positionbeneath the transfer top.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thetransfer top includes a mattress and a mattress support deck beneath themattress, wherein the mattress support deck is coupled to the lift armto raise and lower therewith, and wherein the retractable leg extendshorizontally adjacent an undersurface of the mattress support deck inthe storage position.
 14. An apparatus for use in a hospital having aroom wall, the apparatus comprising: a wheeled base, a docking stationcoupled to the room wall, and a transfer top that is selectivelycouplable to the wheeled base to be transported with the wheeled baseand to the docking station to be supported by the docking stationrelative to the room wall.
 15. An apparatus for use in a hospital havinga room wall, the apparatus comprising: a lift arm extending horizontallyin a cantilevered fashion away from the room wall, a bolster coupled tothe lift arm, the bolster being configured to define amattress-receiving space, and a mobile platform having a movable baseand a mattress carried by the movable base, the mobile platform beingmovable to a position where the mattress is received in themattress-receiving space.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thebolster includes an upper surface that cooperates with an upper surfaceof the mattress to increase the amount of surface area available tosupport a patient when the mattress is received in themattress-receiving space.
 17. A patient care module comprising: atransfer top, a pedestal, and at least one arm coupled to the pedestaland extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner, the at least one armbeing adapted to support the transfer top.
 18. The patient care moduleof claim 17, wherein the transfer top includes a head section, a seatsection and a foot section, wherein the head section of the transfer topis configured to pivot upwardly to a raised position, and wherein thefoot section of the transfer top is configured to pivot downwardly to alowered position.
 19. The patient care module of claim 17 including atleast one service outlet coupled to the pedestal.
 20. The patient caremodule of claim 17 including a patient table coupled to the pedestal andmovable between a storage position and a use position.
 21. The patientcare module of claim 20, wherein the patient table extends in aperpendicular relation to the arm in the storage position and extends ina parallel relation to the arm in the use position.
 22. A patient caremodule for use in a hospital room having a floor, the patient caremodule comprising: a base adapted to couple to the floor for rotationrelative to the floor about an axis, a pedestal coupled to the base, anda transfer top supported with respect to the pedestal, the pedestal andtransfer top rotating with the base about the axis.
 23. The patient caremodule of claim 22, wherein the axis of rotation is vertical and offsetfrom the pedestal.
 24. The patient care module of claim 22, wherein theaxis of rotation extends through the pedestal.
 25. A patient care modulecomprising: a pedestal, a transfer top supported with respect to thepedestal, and a patient table coupled to the pedestal, wherein thepatient table is pivotable relative to the pedestal between apatient-use position extending laterally away from the pedestaloverlying a patient supported on the transfer top and a storageposition.
 26. The patient care module of claim 25, wherein the pedestalis formed to include a storage recess which is exposed when the patienttable is in the patient-use position and which is covered when thepatient table is in the storage position.
 27. The patient care module ofclaim 25, wherein the patient table is pivotable relative to thepedestal to a caregiver-use position extending laterally away from thepedestal on the side of the pedestal opposite the transfer top.
 28. Thepatient care module of claim 25, wherein the patient table is verticallyadjustable relative to the pedestal.
 29. A patient care modulecomprising: a pedestal, a transfer top supported with respect to thepedestal, a patient table coupled to the pedestal, and a communicationand control unit supported above the patient table.
 30. The patient caremodule of claim 29, wherein the communication and control unit includesa phone accessible by a patient supported on the transfer top.
 31. Thepatient care module of claim 29, wherein the communication and controlunit includes an interactive display accessible by a patient supportedon the transfer top.
 32. A patient care module comprising: a pedestal, atransfer top adapted to be supported by the pedestal, a patientmonitoring module coupled to the pedestal, and a control panel coupledto the pedestal, the control panel being configured to exchange datawith the patient monitoring module.
 33. The patient care module of claim32, wherein the control panel is inaccessible to a patient supported onthe transfer top.
 34. An apparatus for use in a hospital having a floor,the apparatus comprising: a transport base, a patient care modulesupported by the floor, the patient care module including a pedestal anda least one arm extending from a side of the pedestal in a cantileveredmanner, and a transfer top that is selectively couplable to thetransport base to be transported with the transport base and to at leastone arm to be supported by the patient care module relative to thefloor.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the transport basecomprises: a lower frame including a central hub and a plurality ofspokes radiating from the central hub, a plurality of wheels, each wheelof the plurality of wheels being coupled to a respective spoke of theplurality of spokes, a column extending upwardly from the central hub,and a mattress support deck coupled to the column.
 36. The apparatus ofclaim 35, wherein the mattress support deck includes a center sectionand a pair of end sections that are coupled to the center section forpivoting movement between horizontal positions and vertical positions.37. A transport base comprising: a lower frame including a central huband a plurality of spokes radiating from the central hub, a plurality ofwheels, each wheel of the plurality of wheels being coupled to arespective spoke of the plurality of spokes, a column extending upwardlyfrom the central hub, and a mattress support deck coupled to the column.38. An apparatus for use in a hospital having a floor, the apparatuscomprising: a wheeled base, a patient care module supported by thefloor, the patient care module including a pedestal and a least one armextending from a side of the pedestal in a cantilevered manner, and atransfer top that is selectively couplable to the wheeled base to betransported with the wheeled base and to at least one arm to besupported by the patient care module relative to the floor.
 39. Theapparatus of claim 38, wherein the pedestal includes a base and a supplyconduit coupled to the base, and wherein service delivery lines arerouted through the conduit to the patient care module.
 40. The apparatusof claim 38, wherein the pedestal includes a plurality of serviceoutlets.
 41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the pedestal includes apatient table that is rotatable relative to the pedestal about an axisto a position overlying a patient supported by the transfer top.
 42. Theapparatus of claim 38, wherein the transfer top includes head, seat andthigh sections, and wherein the transfer top is configured to move to achair position having a head section of the transfer top extendingupwardly from a seat section of the transfer top and having a footsection of the transfer top extending downwardly from the seat section.43. A patient care module comprising: a pedestal including a dockingport adapted to couple to a base frame of a hospital bed, and at leastone service outlet coupled to the pedestal.
 44. The patient care moduleof claim 43, wherein the pedestal and the hospital bed are pivotableabout a vertical axis when the hospital bed docks to the docking port ofthe pedestal.
 45. A patient room comprising: a bathroom area, a visitorarea, and a patient support apparatus coupled to a floor and configuredto support a patient, the patient support apparatus having a head endand a foot end, the patient support apparatus being rotatable about avertical axis between a first position having the foot end facing towardthe bathroom area and a second position having the foot end facingtoward the visitor area.
 46. The patient room of claim 45 including aceiling support track extending from the patient support apparatus tothe bathroom area, and further including a patient support devicecoupled to the ceiling support track that is used by a patient toambulate to the bathroom area when the patient support apparatus ismoved to the first position and articulated to a chair position whichfacilitates patient egress from patient support apparatus.
 47. Thepatient room of claim 45 including a headwall having a medical datamonitor, wherein the patient support apparatus is rotatable to a thirdposition having the head end of the patient support apparatus facingtoward the headwall.
 48. The patient room of claim 47, wherein thepatient support apparatus includes a pedestal having a patientmonitoring module, wherein data from a patient supported by the patientsupport apparatus is transmitted to the pedestal via a first data linethat extends from the patient to the patient monitoring module, whereindata from the patient monitoring module is transmitted to the medicaldata monitor via a second data line that extends from the patientmonitoring module to the medical data monitor, and wherein the seconddata line is routed through the pedestal and through a service channelformed in a floor of the patient room.
 49. A docking station comprising:a column that rotates about a vertical axis, and a docking port coupledto the column to rotate therewith, the docking port being adapted tocouple to a base frame of a hospital bed.
 50. The docking station ofclaim 49, wherein the column-mounted docking port and the hospital bedare rotatable about the vertical axis.
 51. A docking station comprising:a column, a docking port coupled to the column, and a communication andcontrol unit coupled to the column above the docking port.
 52. A dockingstation comprising: a column, a docking port coupled to the column, anda patient table coupled to the column above the docking port.
 53. Thedocking station of claim 52, wherein the patient table is raisable andlowerable relative to the column.